If you haven’t had an opportunity to read Part 1 of this teaching, take a few moments and get caught up by clicking here.

Today we are continuing on in our study of biblical accountability. So, let’s jump in!

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In Part 1, we read about the reality check that the prophet Nathan brought to King David in 2 Samuel 12. You can read that account again to refresh your memory here.

What would the trajectory of David’s life and kingship become had Nathan not been willing to offer that checkpoint to him? And what would it have looked like if David had refused such a divine message of intervention?

The writer of Hebrews reminds us the power of such communion with other believers in chapter 10 when he wrote these statements in verses 23-25:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

It reads even more vividly in the Amplified version:

“Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 AMP

What are the markers of healthy, biblical accountability?

1. Vs 23 | Hold tightly to the confession of our hope without wavering. In verse 22, he wrote, “let us draw near to God.” If you yourself are not holding tightly to the confession of your hope without wavering, if you are not drawing near to God yourself, don’t bother holding someone else accountable to biblical principles. David listened to Nathan because Nathan was known for listening to God. Nathan’s life was being lived out with integrity and he had been a constant source of encouragement and wisdom for David in times past. Therefore, when the harsh words had to be spoken, David could trust Nathan’s heart for God and his love for David. Age does not automatically garner wisdom. We don’t earn a speaking spot in the life of those behind us just because we’ve lived longer. If you desire to obey the Lord in offering accountability to fellow believers, then you must be accountable to His Word and His Spirit first.

David listened to Nathan because Nathan was known for listening to God.

2. Vs 24 | Stir up one another to love and good works. Close proximity in relationship grants access to biblical accountability. Unless you have a prophetic word for someone you’ve never met, we are wise to stick with fostering the relationships with fellow believers—the ones we are willing to allow to speak into our lives, as well. If all I do is rail on our children for the things they are doing wrong, but I’m not providing encouragement, counsel, wisdom and atta-girl’s, I’m not likely to be successful in holding them accountable when they’ve strayed. Loading a fellow believer with love, and encouraging them to pursue more of God’s Word, more time in His presence, modeling how to do that for and with them on a consistent basis, all of this makes room for the Nathan moments when a tender entreaty is required. How are we following this Early Church model for community among the brethren? As I was studying for this message, I dug deep into the commentary notes found in the Fire Bible on 16 markers of a New Testament church.◊ Among them is the vital importance of daily community with others who believe the same way. When we read in the book of Acts, we see many references to the day-in and day-out habits of the believers. Acts 2:44 says, “And all who believed were together and they had all things in common.” Acts 4:32 says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” How did they do that? They did life together and made room for accountability among themselves.

…proximity makes room for fellowship and accountability.

 

3. Vs 25 | Don’t neglect meeting together, as is the habit of some. You may very well be faithful to God’s house and actively invest in the local church with your time and resources, but allow me to urge you to keep doing that. Remember, proximity makes room for fellowship and accountability. The enemy has successfully distracted so many believers across this nation and around the world—yes, people who profess to believe and follow Jesus—with a myriad of many otherwise meaningless activities. While technology is not necessarily a bad thing and can be used to further the Gospel’s reach, we can become desensitized to the point where “peopling” becomes overstimulating.

“I’d rather just watch online this weekend.”

“I’ll just scroll social media rather than meet up with my friends or family”.

“Let me send a text instead of taking the time to make a phone call.”

But meeting together, while it is counterculture, is where accountability happens. Sometimes just showing up is accountability. Some are offended when you say, “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you at church in a while?” But we should have a circle of people who know when we’ve missed too much! And we should receive it with gladness when someone asks. If you feel a twinge of guilt, welcome that as conviction from the Holy Spirit. He used a fellow believer to nudge you back on track before things got too serious! What a gift! “As is the habit of some”. It may be the habit of our culture to avoid corporate gatherings and times of rich communion with fellow believers. It may be the habit of the world or the carnal Christian, but it ought not be the habit of those who are in intimate fellowship with our faithful God.

4. Vs 25 | Do these things even more as the Day is drawing near. What does the writer mean when he says “the Day”? He’s referencing the day of Christ’s return for His faithful—the Rapture of the Church! Remember: the Rapture of the Church is when Jesus comes for His Church. The Second Coming is when He comes with His Church. The Rapture is the finish line for all believers who are alive and remain here on earth. And most, if not all, of the prophetic timeline markers for Christ to return have been fulfilled. So, we know that His return is imminent—hot on our heels. So these instructions from Hebrews are crucial to keep us, as he said in verse 23, holding fast, holding tightly, to our Hope. Scripture warns us that persecution will come the closer we get to that great Day. Therefore, all the instructions we have spoken about this evening are not only important to have routinely in our lives, but we must be doing them exponentially more than ever before.

Do that more.

1. I’m clinging to my faith, I know what I believe. I’m living by God’s Word. Do that more.

2. I encourage others and have relationships with fellow believers. Do that more.

3. I go to church and worship with others, placing myself in settings where I receive the preached and taught Word of God. Do that more.

As you continue reading there in Hebrews 12, you’ll find that tender entreaty, the accountability, if you will, from this writer as he warned those Early Church believers in their faith. He wasn’t instructing them with shame, but was pumping courage into them, reminding them of what was at stake. He even went so far in verses 32-38 to essentially say, “Make memory your servant. Remember how you lived for Christ when you first decided to follow Him? You stood your ground in the face of suffering. You withstood harsh criticism, insults, and persecution. You stood by your brothers and sisters when they endured hardship. You had compassion on those who were imprisoned for their faith and gave of your own resources to replenish what others had lost. Don’t give up now! Keep doing that, or start doing it again!”

Nathan loved David enough to warn him of where his choices would lead if he continued on that path. And David loved God enough to receive the accountability of a humble, trusted man of God. And because of this experience, David’s life was redirected from total disaster and, while he was not exempt from the consequences of this encounter, he was spared from the destruction of a God-dishonoring life. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:1:

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

My husband Chresten often says, “Somebody’s gonna make it. It might as well be us!” I am just bold enough to join the Hebrews writer with such a bold declaration in verse 39:

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Hebrews 10:39 ESV

Dig a Little Deeper

1. Is there someone you have given permission to speak into your life? Not everyone has earned that right, but someone should have that access to your private life.

2. Who is it that God is calling you to love and lead well?

3. Take a few moments to pray David’s prayer of repentance, as is documented in Psalm 51.

 

◊The Full Life Study Bible: Red Letter Edition (NIV). Edited by Donald C. Stamps, Life Publishers Int’l, 1992.